A Smart Idea

My scale is still reading the same as it has all month.  I think this weekend will mean a trip to Wal-Mart to get a new scale.  I have been working out pretty consistently this week and eating healthy, so I'm expecting some change soon.

Here's an idea my mom came up with that I have been implementing at home.  For every 15 minutes of exercise I do, I put $0.50 in a bank.  So, if I get a good 30 minutes 4 days a week I will earn myself $4.00.  Not too much, but not a bad amount either.  By the end of the month I will have $20.00 and by the end of the summer I will have about $60.00.  Another month and I can get some new running shoes!  Or an outfit, new running watch or maybe go crazy with a pair of heels.  Who knows.  I pull the money from a big change jar my husband and I drop spare money into, so sometimes I have to scrounge for the quarters, but it's well worth it.

Good luck with your healthy living weeks!

No Such Luck

Well, I weighed in on Friday morning and Saturday morning and weighed the same as I did last week.  Even down to the tenth of a pound.  Maybe the scale is broken, maybe I just can't seem to lose the weight right now.  Sometimes I think I "feel" skinnier and other times I feel like I've gained.

I decided to start Weight Watchers again and count my points from home.  I'm doing okay minus the strawberry shortcake I had at my parent's house this weekend where my dad insisted I use a Twinkie as the "cake" part.  Then my husband and I turned in some gift certificates for free pizza subs at a restaurant for dinner as well as a coupon for a free pizza at Pizza Hut.  Oh well.  My bonus 35 points are now gone and it's only Monday.

But, I have been running consistently and staying on my schedule for my 5K.  It's been a little rough I have to admit.  My husband and I try to run in the morning, but today my legs felt like I strapped 100 pound weights on them.  I felt like I wanted to stop the entire time but we made it 27 minutes.  We had to stop four times, mostly for my husband, but for less than a minute each time.

So, we keep going.  I'm at least trying here.  We'll see where this goes this week.  If good results, I'll post something this weekend.

Sorry for Leaving You Hanging

Well, we haven't been very good bloggers lately have we?  I think with the rush of starting summer, Mandi getting pregnant and whatnot we just sort of forgot to blog.

I'll give you an update on myself first.  I'm officially down 1 pound.  Whoo hoo I know.  One measly pound, but I'm at least headed in the right direction.  I have gained 6 pounds from my original loss, so I've got some work to do.

I'm still struggling to figure out what to do with my food.  Weight Watchers, count calories, cut portions, just try to go in a healthy direction?  Who knows.  Any input anyone has would be greatly appreciated.  I joined Spark People but I'm not really sure whether I'll keep up with that.  Does anyone else do it?

On a second front, my husband and I are doing a 5K in about 4 weeks.  I'm totally excited.  When I started running last summer I always felt I wasn't in shape enough to actually run a race, but this race is designed as a "walk/run family fun event" so we are going for it.  My goal is to finish without stopping.  I found a plan online we are following.  I even got my mom in on the action.  We started last week, so I'm not expecting to finish anywhere near the top of the standings, but at least we're out there.

That's all for now.  Hopefully I'll kick some butt this week on my weight loss and be back Friday to blog about my success.  Here's to hoping!

Let's Get Moving!

Tonight Julie and I decided to hit the pavement and run.  It was her first time in many years.  I used to be a consistent runner last summer, but my exercise dropped off when school got busy around the first of this year.

We decided on a 2 mile run; 1 mile down the road, rest/walk and then run the mile back.  I made it both miles, but Julie only made it about 1.5 miles.  Still a very good effort!

My hope was to run a 5k next month, though I'm not sure I will be in shape for that yet.  I won't be able to tell until sometime at the beginning of May.

If you're thinking you might want to try a 5k this summer (and it's a great goal to try for) there is a REALLY easy schedule that you can find HERE.  The first workout is a 5 minute walk, 2 minute jog, 5 minute walk.  I think we all have about 12 minutes to give to a workout.

After coming home I did my circuit 1 workout which you can find under our exercise tab.  I cut out the lunges because my legs were too tired.  Don't forget to stretch!  Hope this info helps someone.  Feel free to e-mail any questions!  I'd love to hear your feedback.